The Cost of Having a Baby Abroad

Posted by Dannielle Noonan

You’re far away from home, contending with the daily challenges of living in a country that is not your own, and you’re about to start a family. Medical bills should be the last thing on your mind.

When it comes to a life altering experience like having a child, it’s important that you are comfortable and prepared – and this means getting health insurance that covers maternity before you become pregnant. Did you know that it’s almost impossible to find an insurance plan that covers pregnancy once you are with child?

Do you really want to be hesitating to ask for more pain relief or attention during childbirth for fear of extra costs because you don’t have health cover?

This was the case for one lady who gave birth in Singapore with no insurance. In a BBC news piece, she laid out the costs: “In total our first child's birth cost us just under $9,000 Singapore dollars ($6,650; £4,400). If you include all the pre-natal check-ups, the bill was well over S$10,000.”

This price tag is for a ‘pain-free’ (ha!) birth. Had the new mother experienced complications or the baby needed extra neo-natal care, her medical bill would have been even higher.

If you are from a country with a robust, free-for-all healthcare system like the NHS in the UK, it can be easy to forget that pregnancy can be costly in other countries.

Expats are likely to be offered more treatments and medications if they have a baby abroad, as doctors and hospitals recognise an opportunity to make money. While this can be welcome, it’s important to find out if these expensive add-ons are actually beneficial or necessary for you and your baby.

It’s also important to remember that Caesarean procedures can ramp up your medical bills. Worryingly, the amount of Caesarean sections carried out in India have increased dramatically because they bring in more money for the hospitals.

Even in countries such as Singapore where nationals benefit from subsidised healthcare, it’s rare for expatriates to receive financial aid for medical treatment.

The cost of giving birth around the world for uninsured expats

Singapore

Singapore is one of the most expensive countries for expats to give birth, so medical insurance that includes maternity is vital. £4300 is considered ‘cheap’ for a birth with no complications.

Expats are usually offered “maternity packages” that provide around ten standard consultations during your pregnancy in Singapore. This usually covers routine care for you and your baby in Singapore such as: testing your blood and urine, monitoring your blood pressure and weight gain, as well as your baby’s heartbeat, position, and approximate size. Additional examinations – e.g. ultrasounds, foetal health screening in weeks 9-12, or amniotic puncture – cost extra.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong residents rely on their HK ID Card for access to the city's public healthcare, and expats wishing to use public healthcare to have a baby in Hong Kong should be aware that hospitals limit the amount of non-residents they allow. Expats generally purchase the 'Obstetric Package' from the Hospital Authority. It costs $39,000, including 1 antenatal check-up, delivery service, and 3 days of hospitalization. Any extra days of hospitalization for example in the case of complications or afterbirth care for the baby will cost $3,300 per day, and any extra antenatal appointments are $700 each. If you register for an Obstetric Package as a non-resident but did not undergo an antenatal check-up provided by the Hospital Authority, your fee will be an additional $51,000, bringing the package total to $90,000.

The entire cost of delivering at one of Hong Kong's private hospitals could easily amount to upwards of $100K, but this price hike features luxuries that won't be available in public facilities. Most private hospitals also require that you put down a deposit, ranging from $10-20K.

Switzerland

Pregnancy and childbirth in Switzerland can leave you with a bill of between £5200 and £7200 - the average cost for a C-section is £7000. However, if you do have maternity cover for Switzerland, your provider should cover all of this.

South Africa

The difference between public and private healthcare in South Africa is huge, and expats will find that the public health systems fall short of their standards. Expats with healthcare insurance use it for the best private hospitals, ante-natal therapy and specialist doctors. The average cost of having a baby in a private facility in South Africa is about $1,300.

India

Childbirth in a private hospital in India comes at a cost, though these costs can vary widely. Some start at 15,000 rupees ($240; £160) for normal deliveries, and 25,000 rupees ($400; £265) for Caesarean deliveries.

Most expats choose hospitals that generally charge 75,000 rupees for normal deliveries and 200,000 rupees for Caesareans. This doesn't include the cost of check-ups, ultrasounds, tests during the nine months in the run-up to the birth.

UAE

Even a “normal” birth can be a costly event for expat mothers in the UAE. A problem-free childbirth in the Middle East would normally be expected to cost around £2600. A government health card will help you in government hospitals which cost around AED5000 for a natural birth and AED8000 for a caesarean section. Delivery fees are more expensive at a private hospital and can set you back AED 10 000-AED 20 000.

The cost of childbirth in other countries

Malaysia Private hospital: $600 to $1,600

Australia Private hospital: $6,000 to $21,000

France Private hospital: $3,600

Russia Private hospital: $1,100 to $7,100

Spain Private hospital: $2,600 to $7,900

Brazil Private hospital: $5,600 to $6,200

Whether you are planning a pregnancy or not; if there is a chance you could become pregnant, it’s wise to ensure you have health insurance that covers maternity and childbirth. If you aren’t insured and you do have a child abroad, your treatment and care could be extortionate. You can incur charges for every phase of the process, from pregnancy to aftercare.

Your new baby should be the only thing causing you sleepless nights – not medical bills.

Does your employer supply you with medical insurance? You should question the extent of that cover.

Contact Medibroker to get independent, impartial advice on your international health insurance needs. Our friendly team can talk you through getting international health insurance that covers the cost of pregnancy and childbirth abroad. Request a free quote today or email customer.services@medibroker.com